Journal of Management Practices, Humanities and Social Sciences
JMPHSS is a peer-reviewed academic journal published under the auspices of SAHSS. The journal publishes original research, review articles, theoretical papers, and practice-focused work that intersects management studies with humanities and social science perspectives.
AFRICAN MENTORSHIP SYSTEM, STUDENT EMPOWERMENT AND SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT IN PUBLIC UNIVERSITIES IN SOUTH-EAST NIGERIA
Mentorship is increasingly recognised as an important mechanism for promoting student development, strengthening institutional capacity and advancing sustainable development in higher education. This study investigated the relationships between African mentorship practices, student empowerment, institutional capacity development, quality education and sustainable development in public universities in South-East Nigeria. The study adopted a correlational survey research design. The population comprised 52,684 undergraduate students, from which a sample of 420 respondents was selected through a multistage sampling procedure. Data were collected using the researcher-developed African Mentorship Practices, Student Empowerment and Sustainable Development Questionnaire (AMPS-ESDQ). The instrument was validated by three experts and yielded an overall Cronbach’s alpha reliability coefficient of 0.91. Of the 420 copies of the questionnaire administered, 398 valid copies were analysed, representing a response rate of 94.8%. Data were analysed using mean, standard deviation, Pearson Product–Moment Correlation Coefficient and multiple regression analysis at the 0.05 level of significance. The findings revealed significant positive relationships between African mentorship practices and student empowerment (r = 0.68, p < 0.001), institutional capacity development (r = 0.61, p < 0.001) and quality education (r = 0.72, p < 0.001). The dimensions of African mentorship practices jointly explained 60.8% of the variation in sustainable development (R = 0.780, R² = 0.608), with the regression model being statistically significant (F(6, 391) = 101.08, p < 0.001). Knowledge transfer emerged as the strongest independent predictor of sustainable development (β = 0.226, p < 0.001), followed by ethical development (β = 0.204, p < 0.001). The study concluded that African mentorship practices constitute an important mechanism for promoting student empowerment, strengthening institutional capacity, improving educational quality and advancing sustainable development. It recommended the institutionalisation of culturally responsive and structured mentorship programmes in African universities.
CLOUD-BASED SCHOOL RECORD MANAGEMENT AND CONFIDENTIAL COUNSELLING DATA PROTECTION IN PRIVATE SECONDARY SCHOOLS IN KADUNA STATE, NIGERIA
This study examined thecloud-based school record management and confidential counselling data protection in private secondary schools in Kaduna State, Nigeria. A correlational survey design was utilisedin the study.The sample of 375 respondentswas drawn from a population of 6,200 using Yamane's formula and proportionate stratified random sampling. Data were gathered using a standardised questionnaire devised by the researchers. The instrument was validatedby three experts and it demonstrated a Cronbach alpha reliability coefficient of 0.84. Out of 375 disseminated copies, 365 were collected and examined using mean, standard deviation, and Pearson Product-Moment Correlation at a significance level of 0.05. Findings indicated that cloud-based systems were employed to a modest degree, data protection measures for confidential counselling records were only marginally sufficient, exhibiting significant deficiencies in policy formulation, security assessments, and breach response protocols. Insufficient infrastructure, elevated expenses, restricted training, and lack of institutional policy were recognised as primary obstacles. Two null hypotheses were rejected, establishing substantial positive correlations between the utilisation of cloud-based systems and the protection of counselling data (r = .623), as well as between the sufficiency of data protection measures and the secrecy of counselling records (r = .591). The paper advocates for thorough data governance principles, enhanced cloud integration, and regulatory enforcement in accordance with the Nigeria Data Protection Act of 2023.
INTERPRETIVE JOURNALISM ANALYSIS OF AUDIENCE ENGAGEMENT PATTERNS ACROSS THE WEBS (1.0, 2.0, & 3.0)
This study interrogated the shifting dynamics of audience behaviour within the evolving architecture of Web 1.0, Web 2.0, and Web 3.0, foregrounding interpretive journalism as a critical lens for understanding meaning-making in digitally mediated environments; the aim was to examine how audiences interpret news, how platform affordances shape engagement, and how interpretive framing influences public discourse across these three webs. Anchored on Uses and Gratifications Theory, the study adopted a desk-based qualitative cross-sectional descriptive design, systematically analysing 30 purposively selected studies (10 per web category) sourced from Google Scholar, Scopus, JSTOR, and Web of Science, with data subjected to thematic coding and comparative analysis. Findings reveal a tripartite evolution: passive cognition in Web 1 (33.3%), social co-construction in Web 2 (33.3%), and algorithmically mediated interpretation in Web 3 (33.3%), alongside a transition in engagement from low interactivity to prosumerism and ultimately to predictive, immersive participation driven by AI systems. Furthermore, interpretive framing shifts from institutional gatekeeping to negotiated discourse and finally to algorithmic curation, resulting in increasing fragmentation and polarization of public discourse. The study concludes that interpretive journalism now operates within a complex socio-technical matrix where audience agency is simultaneously expanded and constrained by platform logics. It recommends: (1) that journalists enhance contextual depth and verification practices, (2) that platforms ensure algorithmic transparency and diversity exposure, and (3) that audiences cultivate critical media literacy to navigate personalised information ecosystems.
DESIGN AND IMPLEMENTATION OF A KNOWLEDGE REPRESENTATION-BASED CLINICAL DECISION SUPPORT SYSTEM USING ANALOGICAL REASONING FOR INTELLIGENT HEALTHCARE MANAGEMENT: INSIGHTS FROM MIMIC-IV AND PHYSIONET DATASETS
The use of Clinical Decision Support Systems (CDSS) is gaining popularity to improve patient outcomes in ICUs. In this paper, we describe the design, implementation, and evaluation of a hybrid knowledge representation-based clinical decision support system (CDSS) that combines rule-based and analogical reasoning. A total of 10,000 records were analyzed from the patient database of MIMIC-IV and PhysioNet. Out of all, 68% were male, and 32% were female patients. Furthermore, the average age was 62.0 years (SD = 15.1). The agents of CDSS required 150 ontology entities, 75 clinical rules, and 10,000 historical cases through 5 reasoning steps. Using both analogy and rules yielded 85% predictive accuracy, higher than each alone. The study achieved precision, recall, and F1-score of 0.82, 0.83, and 0.825, respectively; interpretability reached 0.78, and weighted performance was at 0.81. An analysis of the feature importance showed that vital signs (heart rate, blood pressure, and respiratory rate) and lab results (hemoglobin, WBC, and creatinine) contributed over 65% in the model predictions. The case-based reasoning retrieved historical cases that had high similarity (similarity scores 0.91–0.97) and led to adaptive recommendations. All 10000 patients had a decision path that was traceable, making it interpretable. The results indicate that hybrid knowledge representation and analogical reasoning can remarkably enhance the predictive performance, contextual adaptability, and intelligibility of ICU decision support and offer a quantitative framework for real-world deployment
THE INFRASTRUCTURAL DEVELOPMENT AT OGBONNAYA ONU POLYTECHNIC ABA: A STUDY OF IMPACT OF TETFUND AND RECTOR’S ACHIEVEMENTS BETWEEN 2024 TO 2026 AND IT'S IMPACT ON LEARNING ENVIRONMENT
This study investigates the infrastructural development at Ogbonnaya Onu Polytechnic, Aba, from 2024 to 2026, with a particular focus on the achievements of the Rector and the contributions of Tetfund in enhancing the learning environment. The findings reveal a notable positive transformation in student engagement and academic performance, driven by strategically planned infrastructural enhancements. Key renovations, such as upgraded lecture halls, ergonomic seating, and modern teaching tools, have fostered a conducive learning atmosphere, significantly improving student comfort and concentration. Between 2024 and 2026, the collaboration with Tetfund facilitated the modernization of Mass Communication studios, which are now equipped with industry-standard technology, thereby greatly enriching practical skill acquisition and the overall learning experience. Furthermore, the development of internal road networks and the construction of a large-capacity lecture hall enhanced campus accessibility and alleviated congestion, leading to more efficient academic operations. While the study highlights the transformative effects of these infrastructural investments, it also points out challenges related to facility maintenance and equitable access. Issues concerning funding for repairs and inconsistencies in facility availability across departments were identified, emphasizing the critical need for effective maintenance practices to preserve these enhancements over time. Additionally, disparities in access to resources were observed, underscoring the importance of policy interventions to ensure fair distribution and maximize the benefits derived from infrastructural investments. Overall, this research underscores the multifaceted positive impacts of infrastructural development at Ogbonnaya Onu Polytechnic, particularly highlighting the significant role of Tetfund and the Rector's achievements from 2024 to 2026. It emphasizes the essential interplay between infrastructure, maintenance, and equitable access in enriching student experiences and outcomes, offering valuable insights for policymakers and administrators in similar educational settings.
MEDIA LITERACY EDUCATION FOR YOUTH: PREPARING FOR THE DIGITAL INFORMATION AGE
Media literacy education has become increasingly important in the contemporary digital information age where youth are constantly exposed to vast volumes of information through social media platforms, online news outlets, and digital communication technologies. This study examines the role of media literacy education in preparing young people to critically analyze, evaluate, and responsibly use digital media content. The objectives of the study were to investigate the effectiveness of media literacy education among youth, identify the challenges associated with digital information consumption, examine the influence of media literacy on critical thinking and responsible online behavior, and determine strategies for improving media literacy education. The study adopted a qualitative research design using in-depth interviews and focus group discussions as methods of data collection. Participants included secondary school students, university undergraduates, teachers, and media education experts. Findings revealed that media literacy education significantly enhances youths ability to identify misinformation, promotes critical thinking, encourages ethical digital participation, and improves responsible media consumption habits. However, inadequate curriculum integration, insufficient teacher training, and unequal access to digital resources were identified as major challenges affecting media literacy education. The study further revealed that youths with media literacy training demonstrate higher awareness of fake news and online manipulation compared to those without such training. The study concludes that media literacy education is essential for empowering young people to navigate the complexities of the digital information age effectively. The research recommends stronger policy implementation, curriculum integration, teacher capacity building, and collaborative efforts among schools, governments, media organizations, and families to strengthen media literacy education for sustainable digital citizenship.
A MULTI-CRITERIA DECISION FRAMEWORK FOR ROAD INFRASTRUCTURE MAINTENANCE PRIORITIZATION IN MUNICIPAL MANAGEMENT: A CASE STUDY OF THE ASEER REGION, SAUDI ARABIA
Road-maintenance prioritization in large municipal networks is often constrained by limited funding, ageing infrastructure, and the absence of transparent decision-making systems, resulting in inefficient allocation of resources. This study aimed to develop a transparent multi-criteria decision-analysis framework for prioritizing road-maintenance investment in the Aseer Region of Saudi Arabia. Specifically, the study examined the structural composition of the municipal road network, evaluated the limitations of a baseline prioritization model, and demonstrated the effectiveness of a four-criterion framework grounded in the Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP) and weighted linear combination (WLC). The study adopted a GIS-based multi-criteria evaluation methodology using official inventory data from the Aseer Municipality geospatial platform. The population comprised 41,744 road segments covering 20,851 km, all of which were analysed. Data were standardized, weighted through pairwise comparison, and aggregated into composite priority scores, while sensitivity analysis was conducted to assess the effects of alternative weight sets. Findings revealed a significant mismatch between road count and maintenance value, with local roads constituting 77% of segments but accounting for only 46.4% of maintenance value, whereas regional and arterial roads concentrated disproportionately high per-asset criticality. The baseline model demonstrated weak discriminatory power, placing about 91% of segments within the two lowest priority bands. However, the proposed framework successfully re-ordered priorities by emphasizing strategic and economic consequences rather than network ubiquity. The study concluded that the framework provides a transparent, auditable, and policy-aligned approach to municipal road-maintenance prioritization. It recommended the integration of geocoded condition data, formal expert weight elicitation, and machine-learning condition prediction to support continuous segment-level deployment.
INVESTIGATING STRATEGIES FOR RETENTION AND COMPLETION OF BASIC SCHOOLS AMIDST FARMERS-HERDERS’ CONFLICT IN NORTH-CENTRAL NIGERIA
This study investigated the availability, effectiveness, and influence of continuity strategies on pupils’ retention and completion of basic education amidst farmers–herders’ conflict in North-Central Nigeria, with specific focus on Benue and Nasarawa States. A descriptive survey design was adopted, integrating both qualitative and quantitative approaches. Data were obtained using interview guides and proforma records covering fifteen years of pupils’ retention and completion. 24 stakeholders were selected using multistage sampling techniques, of purposive, stratified, and simple random sampling. Qualitative data were thematically analysed, while longitudinal proforma data provided trend-based evidence of retention and completion outcomes.Findings revealed five major continuity strategies used to sustain retention and completion of basic education in conflict-affected communities: Organized Community Efforts, Temporary Learning Centres, Educational Support Services, Technological/Remote Education Programmes, and Monitoring and Evaluation Platforms. OCEs emerged as the most prominent and sustainable strategy, reflecting strong grassroots initiatives such as parental support, flexible school schedules, and community-led monitoring. TLCs were found to be the most effective in preventing total educational disruption, despite challenges related to overcrowding and inadequate facilities. The results further showed that continuity strategies positively influenced pupils’ retention and completion, Nasarawa State recorded consistent improvements compared to fluctuating outcomes in Benue State. There were no significant differences in perceptions based on status or location, but duration of stay significantly influenced respondents’ perceptions of strategy effectiveness. The study concluded that community-driven resilience, supported by institutional and technological interventions, is critical for sustaining basic education in conflict-affected settings.
COMPARATIVE EVALUATION OF MACHINE LEARNING AND TIME-SERIES MODELS FOR EPIDEMIC FORECASTING IN LOW-RESOURCE SETTINGS
The forecasting of epidemics, if done accurately, could help in strengthening disease surveillance, outbreak preparedness and public health decision-making, especially in low-resource settings. The current study develops and evaluates the forecasting framework by combining classical time series models and machine learning algorithms. An epidemiological data set of 99840 observations was analyzed for a wide array of epidemiological, environmental, demographic, and health sector variables including weekly cases, deaths, hospitalizations, rainfall, temperature, relative humidity, vaccination, population density and health sector indicators. The experts used Mean Absolute Error, Root Mean Square Error, Mean Absolute Percentage Error, and coefficient of determination (R²) to evaluate the forecasting performance. SARIMA performed best among the traditional time-series models with MAE = 13.51, RMSE = 18.67, MAPE = 12.41%, R² = 0.879, while ARIMA and Holt–Winters did worse. The findings show that the machine learning models performed better when compared to the other models. In fact, LSTM managed to get the highest prediction accuracy, which was found to have an MAE of 8.74, an RMSE of 11.63, an MAPE of 7.54%, and 0.953 R2 XGBoost was next best in prediction accuracy with MAE of 9.26, RMSE of 12.88, MAPE of 8.02% and 0.941 R2. The results of the statistical analysis indicate a significant outperforming of the machine learning models over the traditional methods, specifically ARIMA versus XGBoost (t = 7.94, p < .001) and SARIMA versus LSTM (t = 5.13, p < .001). Applying the independent samples t-test between the accuracy results of XGBoost and LSTM produced t = 1.33, p = .185 meaning no statistically significant difference existed between the two results. Feature importance analysis clearly shows that Lag-1 Cases, Lag-2 Cases, and Lag-4 Cases are the top three predictors of future cases. LSTM took the longest training time (148.4 s) and memory consumption (1,245 MB) in terms of computational performance while SARIMA has much lower computational requirements of 13.8 s, 118 MB. The multi-criteria evaluation carried out under low-resource conditions ranked SARIMA as the foremost model with a score of 89.8 points. This model was the best balance of accuracy, efficiency, timeliness, robustness, interpretability, and operational feasibility. Findings show that while LSTM provides highest accuracy in prediction, SARIMA offers the most practical and scalable forecasting designs for epidemic surveillance and early warning application in low resource public health settings.
ADVANCING DIGITAL TRUST IN ELECTION TRIBUNAL SYSTEMS THROUGH BLOCKCHAIN AND ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE: TOWARD FORENSIC ACCOUNTABILITY AND SDG 16 IMPLEMENTATION
This study evaluates the effectiveness of a Blockchain–AI Forensic Accountability Framewok (BAFAF) in election tribunal integrity using 2023 Lagos State gubernatorial election data on 20 Local Government Areas (LGAs) . Vote distribution analysis shows that the APC won 13 LGAs with a mean vote count of 39,800; the LP won 7 LGAs with a mean vote of 30,450, while the PDP recorded a consistent mean of 5,950 votes in each LGA. The turnout witnessed weathered from 14.8% to 24.6%. The three LGAs were flagged as anomalies with Z-score > 2. The AI-based verification process produced normalized scores within the range of 0.91 to 1.00. As a result, seven LGAs were flagged for review. The 100% blockchain hashing of election result forms confirmed that all records were not tampered with. Machine learning evaluation results indicate that Isolation Forest achieved the best performance with an accuracy of 0.950, precision of 1.000, recall of 0.800, and F1-score of 0.889. In contrast, supervised models (Random Forest, Logistic Regression, SVM) recorded zero precision and recall because they were unable to detect anomalies due to the imbalanced class distribution within the dataset used. Regression analyses revealed significant coefficients for AI Verification Score (β = 0.671, p < 0.001) and Blockchain Verification Rate (β = 0.538, p < 0.001), while the total valid votes non-significant (β = 0.083, p = 0.112) as the evidence integrity strongest evaluators. Analysis of correlations supported the findings, with evidence showing a significant positive relationship with AI (r=0.891, p<0.01) and blockchain (r=0.844, p<0.01) metrics. The results reveal that the use of AI anomaly detection with blockchain verification can enhance transparency, traceability and forensic accountability of election tribunal evidence. Based on the real-world elections, this study shows that BAFAF is feasible, it was numerically shown that Isolation Forest is effective in detection and it provides an empirically founded mechanism to support the objective of SDG 16 on accountable, transparent and reliable institutions.
PUBLIC EXPENDITURE AND INCOME INEQUALITY IN EMERGING ECONOMIES: A CROSS-COUNTRY STUDY OF BRICS
Revenue disparity is a chronic social economic challenge within the developing economies, despite a consistent GDP growth and increased state expenditure. Inequality Income distribution differences persist as a factor in many BRICS states as a result of uneven economic opportunities, imbalance in labour market and macroeconomic instability. It is on this ground that the current study analyses the nexus between public expenditure and income inequality in the emerging economies using a cross-country analysis of Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa. The research is also supported by the Keynesian fiscal policy framework and redistributive theory of government expenditure which all stresses on government spending ability to correct the market failure and promote a more equitable income distribution. The analysis is based on the data of the international databases of World Bank World Development Indicators, IMF World Economic Outlook, OECD Fiscal Statistics, and the World Inequality Database using balanced panel data between 1990 and 2025. The empirical strategy involves a three- steps estimation process that involves pre- estimation, middle estimation, and post- estimation. The first stage was the descriptive statistics and correlation analysis, and the second was the panel unit-root testing using the level of Levin-Lin-Chu and Im-Pesaran-Shin. Pedroni and Kao were used as subsequent panel cointegration follow-up tests to establish long-run interrelations between variables of interest. The major estimation method involves the Panel Autoregressive Distributed Lag (P 2 -ARDL) model that is estimated using the Pooled Mean Group (PMG) estimator. To measure robustness, Fully Modified Ordinary Least Squares (FMOLS) and Dynamic Ordinary Least Squares (DOLS) estimators were used as well. Serial correlation tests, heteroskedasticity and cross sectional dependence tests were also done. The empirical data show that recurrent public expenditure (= -0.0214, p = 0.01) and capital public expenditure (= -0.0182, p = 0.01) significantly reduce income inequality over the long-run. Economic growth has a similar adverse impact on inequality ( = -.0071, p = 0.01), but inflation (= 0.0043), unemployment ( = 0.0132), and fluctuations in exchange rates ( = 0.0065) increase inequalities. Trade openness also helps to decrease income differences (= -0.0094, p <.01). These findings are supported by robustness tests done with FMOLS and DOLS. To sum up, government spending in emerging economies is quite central to reducing incomes disparity. The paper, therefore, suggests enhancing investment in social and productive sectors, coming up with policies that would help in achieving sustainable economic growth and employment opportunities, adopting macroeconomic stability policies to minimise inflation and exchange-rate volatility, and pursuing strategic trade policies that will lead to inclusive economic participation.
THE INFLUENCE OF ENTERTAINMENT MEDIA ON YOUTH ATTITUDES TOWARDS EDUCATION IN NIGERIA
The study investigated the effect of entertainment media on attitudes of the youths towards education in Nigeria. As more and more young people have become exposed to digital entertainment, like social networking, streaming, music videos, celebrity culture, and more, there are concerns regarding the implications of these for education and academic engagement. The research design used in the study was a mixed-methods research design that comprised a convergent parallel design because quantitative and qualitative approaches were used. The respondents were sampled from 428 students from secondary schools, and 20 respondents, consisting of students, teachers, and parents from tertiary schools, were interviewed for qualitative data. The data were analysed quantitatively using descriptive and inferential statistics such as percentages, correlation and regression and qualitatively, thematically. Results indicated that most participants spend a considerable amount of time every day engaging in entertainment media and that most indicated that their engagement with entertainment media had an impact on their attitudes regarding education. The study revealed that there is a significant relationship between the consumption of entertainment media and the decrease in academic motivation, the decrease in reading culture and the increase in entertainment lifestyles. It also found that there are positive educational uses of entertainment media, such as access to online tutorials, educational videos and edutainment content. The study concluded that entertainment media has a double meaning to education, but the negative influence is more dominant if entertainment media use is excessive and unregulated. The study calls for media literacy education, parental monitoring, the integration of digital learning tools in the curriculum and the promotion of educational entertainment content to improve positive academic outcomes among the Nigerian youths.
AI-BASED OPTIMIZATION OF SOLAR-ASSISTED GREEN HYDROGEN PRODUCTION AND STORAGE USING CASSAVA PEEL-DERIVED ACTIVATED BIOCHAR IN IBADAN, NIGERIA
This study designed a framework to optimize the production and potential storage of green hydrogen using activated biochar from cassava peel. Cassava peel biochar was produced via pyrolysis and activation and evaluated for a function material for alkaline water electrolysis and hydrogen storage. The biochar yield of the activated biochar is 39.28 ± 4.32%; fixed carbon content is 71.59 ± 4.50%. BET surface area is 860.00 ± 290.00 m²/g; pore volume is 0.45 ± 0.15 cm³/g; electrical conductivity is 1.47 ± 0.75 mS/cm. The use of KOH as the activation agent yielded the highest BET surface area (976.00 m²/g) and pore volume (0.51 cm³/g). The maximum hydrogen production of 2380.00 mL at a production rate of 25.10 mL/min at 0.91-1.55 M KOH was achieved with Faradaic efficiency of 86.20% and energy efficiency of 64.10%. As the pressure increased from 1 bar to 30 bar, the quantity of hydrogen absorbed increased from 0.65 wt.% to 1.23 wt.%. The desorption efficiency dropped from 81.30% to 74.10%. XGBoost was the model which predicted the best, with an R² of 0.96, RMSE of 1.78, MAE of 1.21, MAPE of 6.40% and a classification accuracy of 0.94. The predicted hydrogen production from the optimized conditions was 48.60 mL/min which gives 78.40% energy efficiency which gave hydrogen uptake of 1.52 wt.%. The innovative research illustrates a relevant local pathway to biomass-based green hydrogen systems.
CREATIVE PAUSE AND MIND PROMPT AS STRATEGIES FOR MANAGING MEDIA DIET AMONG ADOLESCENTS: IMPLICATIONS FOR PRODUCTIVE THINKING
This study explored the effectiveness of Creative Pause and Mind Prompt interventions in the management of media diet among adolescents for productive thinking in Mayflower School, Ikenne, Ogun State. Using a quasi-experimental design with a Nonequivalent Control Group, 100 secondary school students (50 males and 50 females) participated in the study. The Adolescents Media Diet Assessment Scale (AMAS) was used as the primary instrument. Data were analysed using chi-square statistics at a 0.05 level of significance. The findings indicate that: (i) there is a significant difference between participants treated with Mind Prompt and Creative Pause interventions and the control group; (ii) there is a significant difference in productive thinking between male and female adolescents; (iii) parental socio-economic status significantly influences adolescents' creative potential; (iv) cognitive ability significantly differentiates adolescents' productive thinking; and (v) the types of media diet consumed by adolescents vary significantly. The study concludes that creativity-based interventions can effectively support adolescents in managing their media diet and enhancing productive thinking. Recommendations are made for counsellors, parents, schools, policymakers, and social workers.
INTRINSIC MOTIVATION AND ACADEMIC PERFORMANCE AMONG TECHNICAL VOCATIONAL EDUCATION AND TRAINING (TVET) STUDENTS IN KENYA
Background: Technical Vocational Education and Training (TVET) institutions play an important role in developing practical skills, employability, and national economic growth. Despite their significance, TVET education is often associated with negative societal perceptions, where students are considered academically less capable than university students. Such attitudes may influence students’ confidence, motivation, and academic engagement. Nevertheless, many TVET students remain committed to their studies, indicating the presence of intrinsic motivation as an internal driving force in learning. Objective: The study aimed to examine the relationship between intrinsic motivation and academic performance among Technical Vocational Education and Training (TVET) students in Kenya. It further sought to determine the level of intrinsic motivation among students and assess the influence of socio-demographic factors on motivation and academic achievement. Methodology: The study adopted a cross-sectional quantitative research design involving students from two faith-based TVET institutions located in Nairobi and Nakuru counties. Data were collected using the Intrinsic Motivation Inventory (IMI), which measured pleasure in learning, personal value, and competence. Descriptive and inferential statistical methods, including ANOVA and chi-square analysis, were employed in analysing the data. Findings: The findings revealed that TVET students demonstrated a high level of intrinsic motivation despite the negative social perception attached to vocational education. Students showed strong personal value, competence, and enjoyment in learning activities. However, the study established that intrinsic motivation alone did not have a statistically significant relationship with academic performance, suggesting that academic achievement may also depend on other personal, social, and environmental factors. Conclusion: The study concludes that intrinsic motivation is highly prevalent among TVET students and contributes significantly to their persistence and engagement in learning. Although intrinsic motivation may not independently determine academic performance, it remains an important factor in sustaining students’ commitment to education. The study recommends that educators and policymakers create supportive learning environments that strengthen students’ internal motivation and improve societal perceptions toward TVET education.
SOCIETAL PERCEPTION OF TVET AND ITS INFLUENCE ON STUDENTS MOTIVATION AND LEARNING OUTCOMES IN KENYA
Background: Technical Vocational Education and Training (TVET) institutions play an important role in providing practical skills and employability opportunities for national development in Kenya. Despite this importance, TVET education is often associated with negative societal perceptions, where students are viewed as academically weak compared to university students. Such attitudes may influence students’ confidence, motivation, and learning experiences within vocational institutions. Objective: The study aimed to examine societal perception toward TVET education and assess its influence on student motivation and learning outcomes among TVET students in Kenya. Methodology: The study adopted a cross-sectional quantitative research design involving students from two faith-based TVET institutions in Nairobi and Nakuru Counties. Data were collected using the Intrinsic Motivation Inventory (IMI) together with socio-demographic information. Descriptive and inferential statistical methods were used to analyse the data collected from the participants. Findings: The findings revealed that TVET students were aware of the negative societal attitudes associated with vocational education. Despite these perceptions, students demonstrated high levels of intrinsic motivation characterised by pleasure, personal value, and competence in learning. The findings further showed that students remained committed to their studies and educational goals despite the social stigma attached to TVET education. Conclusion: The study concludes that although negative societal perceptions toward TVET education continue to exist, they do not necessarily prevent students from remaining motivated in their learning activities. Intrinsic motivation plays an important role in sustaining students’ engagement and persistence in vocational education. The study recommends the promotion of positive societal attitudes toward TVET education and the strengthening of supportive learning environments within TVET institutions.
CORRELATION BETWEEN THE IMAGE VALUE OF THE PHYSICAL ENVIRONMENT ANDUSE OF PUBLIC SPACES IN AKURE, NIGERIA
The study evaluated the image value of public spaces in Akure and their contribution to creating an attractive physical environment. Both quantitative and qualitative methods were employed for data analysis. Data were collected from primary and secondary sources, with 209 respondentswere selected through purposive sampling for structured questionnaire administration. These respondents were on-site users of public spaces in the core area of Akure. The collected data were analyzed using univariate, bivariate, and multivariate techniques.Socio-demographic characteristics, physical activity, image perception and, the physical environment were used to evaluate the influence of public spaces on the image value of Akure. Findings highlighted the importance of a well-maintained, aesthetically pleasing, and inclusive public space in creating a positive image and promoting the overall development of the study area. The study revealed a positive relationship between image value as a vital indicator for social interaction and increase public space utilisation.Furthermore, the result revealed the most significant problems facing open spaces in the study area which include;illegal conversion, encroachment, andpoor maintenance. The study recommends that,Architects and Urban planners in Akure should integrate design principle in the planning of public spaces to improve its image value and a routine evaluation of public spaces by government to ensure a socially, well-maintained and functional spaces for overall users’satisfaction.
APPLICATION OF FOMBRUM, TICHY AND DEVANNA’S HUMAN RESOURCE MANAGEMENT MODEL TO ENHANCE EMPLOYEE PERFORMANCE IN THE NIGERIA BANKING SECTOR
The study examined the application of Fombrun, Tichy, and Devanna’s (FTD) Human Resources Management (HRM) model to enhance employee performance in the Nigerian banking sector. The study focused on the aspects of; selection, performance appraisal, rewards, and development with reference to performance of the employees in the banking sector in Nigeria. The study findings revealed that Nigerian banks have well-established recruitment and selection strategies in their talent acquisition process. In terms of the usage of performance appraisal systems for the assessment of the performance of their employees in the banking sector, the study revealed that it was efficient in usage as one of the strong instrument for effective performance. The findings on rewards system and development revealed the rewards system in use in the Nigeria banking sector is not in measure to the rate of work done and the risk attached to the job, as such the reward and development component of the model has been adopted as seems to be less consistent with the situation in the credit reward of the Nigerian banking sector. Likewise, the level of spending on this capacity enhancement activity- employee training and development-clusters also differs in Nigerian banks and below expectations meaning organizational stakeholders are not fully implementing the FTD (1984) model’s reward and development components. The study concluded that the usage of FTD (1984) model is relatively low in the Nigeria sector. The study therefore recommended that Nigerian banks should prioritize the integration of robust reward systems and continuous employee development programs. These aspects are crucial for maintaining employee motivation and engagement, which directly contribute to improved performance.
LEVERAGING LARGE ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE MODELS FOR THE REVITALIZATION OF SUAKIN ISLAND, SUDAN
Suakin Island, located on the Red Sea coast of eastern Sudan, represents one of the most significant yet endangered examples of coral-stone Islamic architecture in the world. Once a thriving Ottoman-era port city, Suakin's distinctive urban fabric — characterized by mashrabiyas (wooden lattice screens), multi-story coral-stone mansions, arcaded markets, and intricately carved wooden doors — has suffered severe deterioration over the past century. This paper proposes and details a comprehensive framework for applying Large Artificial Intelligence (AI) Models to the digital revitalization, documentation, classification, and predictive restoration of Suakin's architectural heritage and that of broader eastern Sudan. Drawing on the latest advances in Large Language Models (LLMs), Convolutional Neural Networks (CNNs), Vision Transformers (ViTs), Generative Adversarial Networks (GANs), and diffusion-based generative models, we outline a full pipeline: from field data collection and feature engineering of architectural elements, to training supervised classifiers and generative restoration models. We benchmark applicable methods from analogous heritage contexts (Chinese, Iranian, Greek, and Indonesian vernacular architecture) where accuracies exceeding 90–98% have been achieved. We identify critical research gaps — the absence of any dedicated dataset or end-to-end AI model for Suakin — and propose concrete methodological pathways to address them. The study further introduces ArchGPT-style reasoning agents and multimodal CLIP-based retrieval as novel tools for supporting architectural conservation professionals in Sudan. Our findings establish that, given targeted data collection and culturally grounded model training, AI-based systems can serve as transformative instruments for the preservation and revitalization of Suakin Island's irreplaceable built heritage.
THE EFFECT OF MACROECONOMIC VARIABLES ON THE PERFORMANCE OF AGRICULTURAL EXPORTS IN NIGERIA
This study examined the effect of macroeconomic variables on the performance of agriculturalexports in Nigeria from 1986 to 2022. The study specifically investigated the influence of consumer price index (inflation), broad money supply, lending rate, exchange rate, and real gross domestic product on non-oil agricultural exports. Annual time series data were obtained from secondary sources and analyzed using descriptive statistics, Augmented Dickey-Fuller (ADF) unit root test, Autoregressive Distributed Lag (ARDL) model, Error Correction Mechanism (ECM), and Pairwise Granger Causality test. The findings revealed that consumer price index and exchange rate had positive and significant effects on agricultural exports in Nigeria, while broad supply and lending rate exerted significant negative effects on non-oil agricultural exports. Real gross domestic product showed a positive but insignificant relationsmoneyhip with agricultural export performance. The ECM result indicated a strong adjustment from short-run disequilibrium to long-run equilibrium. Furthermore, the Granger causality test showed no causal relationship among the selected macroeconomic variables and agricultural exports. The study concluded that stable macroeconomic policies are essential for improving agricultural export performance and promoting sustainable economic diversification in Nigeria.
ASYMMETRIC PASS-THROUGH EFFECTS OF FOREIGN PORTFOLIO INVESTMENT ON ECONOMIC RESILIENCE: A COMPARATIVE ANALYSIS OF SELECTED AFRICAN ECONOMIES
This study investigates the asymmetric pass-through effects of foreign portfolio investment FPI on economic resilience in South Africa, Egypt, Nigeria and Kenya using the Nonlinear Autoregressive Distributed Lag (NARDL) frame work over the period 1990-2024. Composite economic resilience normalized on 0-1 scale was constructed via principal component analysis, incorporating macroeconomic stability, financial robustness, productive capacity and institutional quality. Short run results reveal consistent asymmetric: positive FPI shocks significantly enhance (ERI) across all countries with the strongest impacts in Kenya and Nigeria while negative shocks sharply erode resilience most severely in Nigeria and Egypt. Inflation exerts a uniformly negative effect, whereas GDP per capita growth greatly support economic resilience. The error correction term indicate faster adjustment in South Africa per period and slowest in Kenya in the long run positive FPI shocks significantly bolster resilience in Nigeria and Kenya, but remain insignificant in South Africa and Egypt; Negative shocks consistently undermine ERI with statistical significance in all cases. GDP per capita emerges as the dominant long run driver. Policy recommendations include strengthening macroeconomic stability, deepening capital market and promoting growth oriented structural reforms to mitigate FPI volatility and enhance economic resilience to external shocks
INTEGRATING INDIGENOUS KNOWLEDGE INTO NATIONAL CLIMATE ADAPTATION STRATEGIES: CHALLENGES AND PATHWAYS
The integration of indigenous knowledge (IK) into national climate adaptation strategies represents a critical yet underexplored pathway for enhancing resilience in developing countries like Nigeria. This study investigates the challenges and opportunities associated with incorporating indigenous knowledge systems into formal climate adaptation frameworks, emphasizing their potential to complement scientific approaches and address localized vulnerabilities. Employing a qualitative research design, data were collected via semi-structured interviews with 30 key stakeholders, including government agencies, civil society organizations, academia, and traditional leaders. Thematic analysis reveals significant barriers to integration, primarily institutional biases favouring Western scientific paradigms, the lack of formal mechanisms for documenting and validating IK, and the erosion of traditional practices due to rapid modernization and urbanization. Despite these challenges, respondents highlighted the intrinsic value of IK in sustainable agriculture, disaster risk reduction, and ecosystem management, citing specific examples such as traditional flood mitigation techniques and seasonal forecasting methods. The findings underscore the potential of hybrid knowledge systems that leverage the contextual precision of IK alongside the macro-level predictive capacity of scientific data. However, successful integration requires addressing ethical concerns regarding knowledge ownership, intellectual property rights, and equitable benefit-sharing. To bridge existing gaps, the study proposes actionable pathways, including the establishment of a national indigenous knowledge repository governed by community-led ethical protocols, the statutory inclusion of traditional leaders in climate advisory bodies, and the integration of indigenous perspectives into educational curricula. Furthermore, the research recommends the development of legal frameworks to protect communal intellectual property and the creation of dedicated funding mechanisms for community-led adaptation initiatives. By fostering participatory governance and respecting epistemic pluralism, policymakers can create more inclusive, effective, and socially just climate adaptation strategies. This research contributes to a holistic understanding of climate governance, demonstrating that bridging the divide between indigenous and scientific knowledge systems is essential for building sustainable resilience in the face of escalating climate impacts.
ASSESSMENT OF PRINCIPAL’S ROLE ON THE PROVISION OF STUDENTS’ SERVICES IN SECONDARY SCHOOLS IN CROSS RIVER STATE, NIGERIA
This study was onassessment of principal’s role on the provision of students’ services in secondary schools in Cross River State, Nigeria. The study has two objectives which are;Evaluate principal’s role on the provision of guidance and counselling service and assesses principal’s role on the provision of library service in secondary schools in Cross River State. Two research questions, two null hypotheses asked and formulated respectively. Related literature was reviewed along with fourteen (14) empirical studies. Descriptive research design was adopted for the study. A total of 387 respondents were sampled from the total population of 2,3667, through the use of research advisor (2006). A structured questionnaire was used to collect data from the respondents. The data collected were presented in tables and analysed using weighted means to give the responses of respondents to the research questions. The nine null hypotheses were tested using One Way Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) at 0.05 alpha level of significance. Descriptive statistics was used to analyze the bio- data of the respondents. The findings of the study among others were that: most principals provided offices and assigned teacher(s) for counselling services in secondary schools in Cross River State and that most secondary schools do not have standard school library, where they exist, they are been managed by the school principals in secondary schools in cross river state.It was recommended among others that; all secondary schools in cross river state should be provided with guidance and counselling offices with the required facilities and trained personnel and the government and other stakeholders should collaborate in the provision of library and it’s facilities in secondary schools.The study concluded that Principals of secondary schools as administrative heads are in the best position to use resources under their control to achieve set goals of the school are founded on the principle of providing students services which helps to foster the development of students’ competencies, life skills and habit of academic excellence.
APPLICATION OF DIGITAL TOOLS FOR EFFECTIVE SUPERVISION OF SECONDARY SCHOOLS IN THE FEDERAL CAPITAL TERRITORY, ABUJA-NIGERIA
In this study, the application of digital tools in the supervision of secondary schools in the FCT Abuja is being examined through the availability, utilisation, perceived effectiveness, barriers, and supervisory outcomes for public and private schools. A descriptive survey research design was adopted for the study, and 102 respondents were sampled using a questionnaire. The data were analysed using descriptive statistics, Pearson correlation, independent samples t-test and multiple regression. The results indicate that the availability of digital tools was high, but its usage is moderate and partial. Strong correlations were observed between the perceived effectiveness and supervisory outcomes (r = 0.918, p<0.01) and the correlation between utilisation and outcomes (r = 0.746, p<0.01) while barriers negatively correlate with utilisation (r= −0.256, p<0.01). The regression model was statistically significant (F= 159.581, p<0.001) and explained 86.8% variance in supervisory outcomes (R²=0.868), while perceived effectiveness (β =0.776, p<0.001) was the strongest predictor followed by utilisation (β =0.188, p=0.001) while both utilisation and constraints were not significant. The t-test reveals a difference in the level of perceived effectiveness between public and private schools (p =0.044). In conclusion, the effectiveness of the digital tools in the context of the study is not driven by availability alone, but utilisation, followed by perceived effectiveness while constraints limit utilisation indirectly. Training interventions aimed at enhancing utilisation, improving infrastructure for better connectivity and favourable policies for continuous integration are therefore recommended.
ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE: A NEW METHOD IN TEACHING ENGLISH LANGUAGE
Since information technology is advancing so quickly in the digital age, educational institutions are forced to adopt mobile computers for instruction. Nowadays, the majority of pupils have a cell phone. Students' daily lives are inextricably linked to their cell phones and smartphones. In other words, the students that teachers are presently working with are referred to as "digital natives" or the "Net generation" since they were raised with computers and the Internet. People are primarily searching for new ways to improve their understanding of mobile technology in non-school situations, which is different from how the technology is utilized in schools, as the number of mobile devices held rises. AI has a significant influence on ELT and presents intriguing chances for better educational possibilities and higher levels of student engagement. Teachers may transform language instruction and equip students for success in a worldwide environment by using AI in an ethical and cooperative manner. This chapter examines the applications and new opportunities that AI provides to ELT, as well as the problems and moral dilemmas related to this technological shift. The emerging trend in English language instruction using artificial intelligence is discussed in this paper.
ORGANIZATIONAL CONTEXT, MANAGEMENT SUPPORT, AND TEACHER CAPACITY: A HIERARCHICAL INVESTIGATION OF EFFICACY AND VOCATIONAL COMMITMENT
Increased interconnection and interdependence of economies, cultures, civilizations, and individuals on a worldwide scale are hallmarks of the intricate and multidimensional phenomenon known as globalization. Globalization has substantial effects on communication, especially when it comes to the English language. As a universal language, English makes it easier for people from different linguistic origins to communicate in fields like commerce, research, diplomacy, education, and technology. English is the main language used in the worldwide tech community for communication, software development, and coding in the realm of technology and innovation. Being able to communicate in English is frequently a need for engaging in the global economy. It became a useful talent in the global labor market as economic globalization increased. English is frequently used as a communication language in contracts, business discussions, and international transactions. Although English's widespread use has made communication easier in many situations, it also poses issues with linguistic diversity, cultural imperialism, and non-native English speakers' access to opportunities. The necessity for careful consideration of language dynamics in communication practices and policy is highlighted by the influence of English in a globalized society. The predominance of the English language and its benefits—such as easier international cooperation and access to worldwide opportunities—are covered in this essay. It also discusses the difficulties experienced by non-native English speakers in a globalized society, as well as accusations of linguistic imperialism and cultural homogeneity. This paper sheds light on the prospective function of English in a world growing more linked as well as the possible rise of new international languages and communication patterns.
LEARNING ENVIRONMENT, ADMINISTRATIVE LEADERSHIP, AND PEDAGOGICAL SELF-EFFICACY: A MULTILEVEL ANALYSIS OF TEACHER MORALE AND PROFESSIONAL PERSISTENCE
Throughout his life, Kalidas Bhattacharyya (KB) has written extensively on both Indian and Western philosophy. In some of his writings, such as ThePresuppositions of Science and Philosophy and Other Essaysand a couple of chapters in Logic, Language and Philosophy, KBhas defended traditional metaphysics, by offering both positive arguments as well as critiquing some objections raised against it. In this article, we critically discuss his attempt to defend traditional metaphysics by analyzing the presuppositions of science and metaphysics. In his ThePresuppositions of Science and Philosophy and Other Essays, he not only enumerates and classifies presuppositions, he also uses them to clarify the relation between science, metaphysics and epistemology. Despite its significance, KB’s work remains largely unknown to contemporary philosophers, perhaps due to his highly technical and rigorous writing style. This article is an attempt to introduce and discuss his defense of traditional metaphysics so that it can be taken up for further research.
ORGANIZATIONAL CULTURE, ADMINISTRATIVE BACKING, AND EDUCATOR SELF-BELIEF: A MULTILEVEL EXAMINATION OF PROFESSIONAL CONFIDENCE AND JOB COMMITMENT
The approaches that were popular prior to CLT were the Situational Language Teaching approach, the Audio-Lingual approach, and the Grammar-Translation technique. These techniques required form memorization and practice. Learning a language during World War II was done for practical reasons. Studying literary works and just learning grammatical rules were deemed insignificant. The ability to utilize language for pragmatic purposes became crucial. To put it another way, the capacity to communicate effectively is a prerequisite for learning a foreign language. At this moment, Communicative Language Teaching (CLT) replaced these approaches. The introduction of CLT caused a significant shift in the way that second language instruction was conducted. The primary cause of this shift is that teachers started to understand that the major objective of teaching foreign languages is to help students become more communicative. A large number of immigrants arrived in Europe in the 1970s, and in order to find work, they had to pick up English fast. The employees were unable to communicate with their bosses using the Grammar-Translation and Audio-Lingual technique drills. According to Jack C. Richards (153), "British applied linguists started to question the theoretical assumption underlying the Situational Language Teaching." The scope of CLT has grown since the mid-1970s. It is currently viewed by both American and British supporters as an approach (rather than a technique) that seeks to: (a) make communicative competence the purpose of language instruction; and (b) provide methods for teaching the four language skills that recognize the connection of language and communication. Richards, Jack C., 155.
The Role of Media Literacy in Social Science Education
This research explores the impact of arts-based pedagogies on student motivation in social science education. Traditional methods often fail to sustain student interest. By incorporating creative activities such as music and design, educators can make learning more engaging. The study shows that students participating in arts-based activities demonstrated higher motivation and enthusiasm. They were more likely to participate in discussions and collaborative tasks. The approach also fosters intrinsic motivation. Teachers observed improved classroom dynamics. Challenges include curriculum constraints and assessment methods. The paper suggests integrating arts into lesson planning. It concludes that arts-based pedagogy enhances motivation.
Constructivist Approaches in Social Science Education
This study explores how arts-based pedagogies can reshape the epistemological foundations of social science education. It argues that knowledge construction becomes more dynamic when learners engage with creative processes such as painting, dramatization, and narrative building. These methods allow students to interpret social realities through multiple perspectives rather than relying on fixed theoretical frameworks. The research includes classroom interventions where students visually represented sociological theories, leading to deeper comprehension. It also highlights how arts integration promotes dialogic learning and collaborative inquiry. Students demonstrated improved critical thinking and interpretive skills. However, institutional constraints remain a challenge. The paper calls for rethinking assessment and curriculum design. It concludes that arts-based approaches enable a more holistic understanding of social phenomena.